Hoosier Medicare recipients will soon have the opportunity to enroll in the new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The plan was created to provide American seniors, many who currently have no prescription drug plan, necessary medications. Nearly one million Indiana residents are currently enrolled in Medicare, a federally funded health insurance program for seniors aged 65 and older and individuals with disabilities.

As has always been the case, the one constant in our lives is CHANGE! One more significant change for all citizens of Fort Wayne is in the near future...on January 1, 2006 the citizens of the Aboite area will become citizens of Fort Wayne. There has been a continuing effort during the last several years to make sure that new Fort Wayne residents living in Aboite and other annexed areas are provided city services without detracting from doing a good job for current residents. As of January 1st I...

I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday. As we near the end of the year, the City of Fort Wayne is preparing for the 2006 "Mayor's Money in Your Pocket" Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program. We have sent letters to financial institutions in the community asking for their support and help with the program. The EITC program assists lower income working families apply for tax refunds.

In 2005, $1.6 million in tax refunds were received by working families. There has been an increase in...

Almost 25,000 families in need sought assistance from the Wayne Township Trustee's Office this past year. This year looks to be another record setting year, given the cost of everyday necessities rising at such an alarming rate. Being the season of Thanksgiving, I thought I would take time to acknowledge to the Waynedale faithful the type of staff that can provide such dedication to always keep up with the increasing need. Over the last seven years, Wayne Township...

City Council is currently considering possible increases in our water and stormwater rates. I'm concerned as are many Council members about an increase in these utility rates at a time when the state property tax relief fund (which helps hold down property taxes) has been cut and the city's trash hauling fee has been increased. It's important to point out that the proposed increase in the storm water fee ($1.45 more each month) would greatly benefit the south side of Fort Wayne including areas...

The City of Fort Wayne recently hosted a Regional Greenway Summit. The Summit brought together elected officials, greenway and trail advocates, and the community to discuss the current trail system and plans for how trails will be improved and added in the City, Allen County and Northeast Indiana.

At the Summit we announced the City will construct a new mile of greenway along the Towpath Trail in 2006. The trail will eventually link the City and New Haven with the Aboite area. The Indiana...